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A lifetime resident of the area, Michael DeJong passed away peacefully at the Carefor Hospice in Cornwall, on Monday, October 13, 2014, following an eight month battle with cancer. He was 34.

Michael Daniel DeJong was born in Winchester, on June 28, 1980, to his parents Barrie Pemberton and Alice DeJong.

Michael grew up on a dairy farm. He enjoyed being outdoors, and, actually, he preferred it. He loved being around the animals – sheep, pot-bellied pigs, chickens, rabbits, goats and of course the cattle.

He was a good worker and enjoyed farm life.

He began driving a tractor and truck from an early age, which developed into his later skill fixing cars up for demolition derby – right up until last year.

Michael attended Elma Public School, Maple Ridge Public School and Seaway Secondary School. He went to Cubs and he loved sports. He started playing hockey in Morrisburg when he was five years old and he eventually played Junior B for the Morrisburg Lions. He also played baseball in Williamsburg.

Michael was very strong willed, and he never gave up. If you asked him to do anything, he’d do it. If you needed something, he would be there. He was very unselfish. He deeply appreciated his family and loved them, which says a lot about the way he was raised.

Michael and his loving wife Margaret whom he married on August 1, 2003, were blessed with three children: Madisyn, Montgomery and Maverick.

To help support his family, Michael worked for Norwell Dairy Systems. He was a “jack-of-all-trades” doing whatever he was called to do. He was smart–more than he let on. He would surprise people with what he was able to do. At home, he took pride in his lawn, his fishpond and his garden.

What was really amazing about Michael is how he came to accept each day and appreciate all he had in his loving family; his wife and children, his parents, his sisters and grandparents, aunts and uncles and friends.

His battle with cancer changed him. He became a stronger, even better man through it all. And in the end he came to accept the inevitability of his own death. “What will be, will be,” he said. He carried his courage and dignity to the end.

Michael is survived by his wife Margaret, his children Madisyn, Montgomery and Maverick, his parents Barrie and Alice Pemberton, his sisters Samantha Pemberton (Norman Merrifield) of Ottawa and Melissa Mitchell (Evan) of Glen Becker, his maternal grandparents Bill and Jean DeJong of R.R.# 1 Morrisburg and paternal grandparents Glenn and Carolyn Pemberton of Williamsburg and his paternal great-grandmother Gwynneth Pemberton.

He was a dear nephew of June DeJong (Brian Alexander) of Minden, Donald DeJong (Amy) of R.R.# 1 Morrisburg, Brian Pemberton (Violetta) of Williamsburg and Kathi Duff of Kanata. Michael will be sadly missed by cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends.

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Thursday from 7-9 p.m. A private family funeral service was held at the funeral home on Friday, October 17th at 11 a.m. with Rev. Jo Barkley-Probst officiating. Interment followed at New Union Cemetery, Williamsburg.

A resident of the Williamsburg area for the past 24 years, Joe Vogrig passed away at Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Saturday, October 6, 2012. He was 80 years of age.

Joe was born in Grimacco, Italy, on March 12, 1932, to his parents Antonio and Teresa Vogrig.

Joe’s talent for singing and dancing, as well as his quick sense of humour and charm, made him the life of many parties.

He sang with the Coro di Alpini in Ottawa as well as with his wife, Clara, with beautiful harmonies typical of his birthplace in the hills of Friuli Venezia Giulia, in Italy.

Although Joe grew up in a Slovenian community in Italy, he spent time working in Belgium, leading him to speak four languages fluently: Italian, Slovenian dialect, French and English.

Joe was also a talented artist. His numerous woodcarvings have been displayed in many cultural exhibits in Ottawa, viewed by many with great admiration. A portion of his work has been entrusted to the Unione Emigranti Sloveni del Friuli Venezia Giulia, who is honoured to have such an magnificent demonstration of its cultural heritage.

Joe was passionate about sports, especially soccer and hockey, and his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs. He was an amateur boxer in Italy. He was admired by many in Italy and here in Canada for his height, earning him the nickname, “Big Joe”.

Joe was a valued construction worker, having helped build many homes, offices and structures enjoyed in Ottawa today.

Joe is survived by his wife of 56 years, Clara, and his children Isabel Cheney of Winchester, Susanna (Tony) Prinzo of Ottawa and Anthony (Sandra) Vogrig of Winchester.

He was the proud grandfather of Tracy (deceased), Carmela, Carla, Nadia (John), Giacomo, Jeff and Cristiano.

Nonno Joe will be fondly remembered by loving family and dear friends in Canada and Italy.

He was predeceased by his parents Antonio and Teresa Vogrig and his brothers Aldo and Antonio Vogrig.

A private family funeral service was held at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Saturday, October 13th at 1 p.m. with Father Cosmas Ajawara officiating.

For those wishing to honour Nonno Joe, please consider a donation in his memory to Winchester District Memorial Hospital. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.

A resident of Morrisburg for the past 70 years, Brian Van Allen passed away at the Ottawa Civic Hospital on Tuesday, December 13, 2016. He was 75. Brian was born in Binsted Alton Hampshire, England […]